These Long Winter Days

It's Monday again, and Daddy has left again for a business trip. (Deep sigh.) It's days like today that make me realize how lucky we are to have him at home most of the time. It makes me feel less isolated. We are in this house ALL the time because it's winter and you're still little and there's two of you, so I can't easily get you out of here. I swear that you get as bored as I do. 

Our schedule right now is so predictable, but I'm starting to wonder if it's time to switch it up--both for a new routine to get us out of a rut and because you're getting older and because I'd like you down to 2 naps for Florida. (It seems most sentences around here begin with "when we go to Florida..." We cannot stinkin' wait for warm weather, the ocean, long walks and Daddy and family around all the time!) 

7:30 or 8a: wake and bottle
9a: cereal and fruit
10a: nap
12p: bottle
2p: nap
3p: bottle
5p: nap
6p: veggies and fruits
7:30p: bath
8p: bottle
8:30p: bed

You rotate between belly time, jumper time, cartoons (though I hate it and feel like such a horrible mother when I turn it on), sitting up-- all with toys being switched in and out. It's a struggle every day to keep you entertained and help you develop while staying sane.  We're all on repeat, and it's really hard when we can't go anywhere. These 4 walls will be burned in your brain as much as mine. But despite our boredom- you're growing every day! It's like you're a different person today vs. last week. Amazing. Your smiles keep me going.  I look at you in awe, soak you up and know that even though this is so hard,  I will miss it someday. It's a time in my life that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world! 

So.... today I will research how to change to 2 naps. How do I get in 4 bottles and food? Do I drop a bottle and increase the ones you get? Do you sleep longer? How will I entertain you when you're getting tired? Should I just wait until you are clearly not tired after 2 hours of play to try this? When do I add more food? What baby food should I be making? How? Are you getting enough variety? When do finger foods start? 

What I do know is that I stressed so much on how to get you to sleep through the night. We kept changing things on you and stressing about getting you up to 6 oz bottles.... I don't need to do that again. You do what you want when you're ready. 

But still... should I try something new? 

(I will end here because I hear your breathing has changed from sleep to playing with your precious little hands. :) Love you!)